Chapter 28

(A.N: Hey guys! No, I haven't forgotten about you, I swear! I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this in ages! ACK. I really lost my inspiration for my fanfics – for a long time...But I'll have you know that I was still writing! Later chapters for some things, and then some other fanfics that haven't even had their first chapter posted yet (and I think you can understand why). UGH. So I'm really, really sorry about not posting...Also! As you may – or may not – have noticed, I got rid of the Facebook group...I posted my Tumblr on my profile...So, I'll try to blog a bit more often. Do you guys realize that this thing has almost gotten 200 reviews? I am...Amazed, truly, I am. THANK YOU. TT means time passing, or scene changes).

ANSWERING REVIEWS:

TrueDespair:

Sorry for making you cry, True! -Is totally not sorry, at all-

Glad you've stuck around for the entirety of this thing so far...And I'm glad that you're always so detailed with your reviews. And yeah, I had fun writing about Kamui answering Fuuma's cell. Oh awkward moments, how you make my anime life complete~

ShingetsuXMangetsu:

ACK! I'm so sorry that I didn't post this until NOW...But I'm glad that you're into the Fuuma x Kamui storyline!

ItachisPurpleChakra:

Sorry for making you cry! (Not really, because it means that I did a good job on the emotions!)

And I'm glad that you reviewed, even though you're so shy!

Yotzie:

Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed!

Botanthegrimreaper89:

Personally, I hate people that are overly dependent on one another...But in anime it's kind of cute. So, I figured people wouldn't mind, especially considering Kamui is supremely adorable. Glad you liked it!

Carmen Veiga:

Yeah, I had fun with both of those scenes! Love working on this fanfic, and will try to get more up soon!

Hikaru2008:

GAH! I'm so sorry! I've been turning you into a mess, apparently! I'm sorry! I'd try to make it up to you with this chapter...But...Uhm...-sweatdrop-

Raimundoroks:

THANK YOU! I'm glad that you think so...I try, I really do...

Foxyaoi123 & Jenmoon1:

THANK YOU BOTH!

TBS Juri:

I know I responded already in a PM, but thank you nonetheless! I'm glad you reviewed, and of course I'm going to continue this fanfic! I love it.

TT

New Years came to pass, with more love than words could describe.

Although the snow refused to leave completely – the weather did get warmer. And it was on one of these beautiful days, that Fai found himself out at a café – with his older sister.

He hadn't planned on spending his day this way.

It wasn't that he didn't enjoy time with Chi. He did. He loved his sister...But it was his birthday, and he wanted to spend it with everyone.

He felt like he'd been kicked out of his house...Which meant that they were planning something. And he didn't need any more surprises...He just needed to be surrounded by his friends, and family.

He felt drained, just sitting there...

"Fai? Why do you look so down?" Chi's voice broke through the dull buzz of the café conversations. She looked worried – which wasn't anything out of the usual.

"...I love you, you know that I do...But I didn't plan on spending my birthday this way. I'd rather just...Be around everyone. It feels so empty like this..." He frowned at his cup of coffee.

"...I know..." Chi answered gently, running her fingers through her hair. She wasn't enjoying this too much either. She'd rather spend time with the entire gang.

She understood that Kurogane liked surprising Fai...But sometimes she wished that he wouldn't bother.

Fai picked up his napkin, and covered his mouth, coughing slightly.

Chi wondered if he was faking sick, just so he could go home...So she excused herself to the washroom. She couldn't watch him, and she wasn't allowed to give in, either.

Fai waited for the door to close behind his sister, before he allowed himself to move the napkin away from his mouth once more. He wasn't surprised to see it. In fact, it was becoming a regular thing for him.

Blood.

He wiped his lips, and left money on the table. He wasn't staying. Not when an opportunity was staring him directly in the face. Not when he could easily walk out those doors, and get out of this café.

He trashed his napkin before he left.

Where would he go? If he went home, he'd spoil whatever it was that Kurogane was planning...And the raven would be mad at him...Though he supposed that he was bound to be mad at him anyway – for leaving Chi like that.

He could go to Raiko's – but they would expect for him to go there, wouldn't they? They would expect for him to turn to his old friend, in a time of utter boredom and disobedience.

But this was so much more than that.

He hailed a taxi, and gave the driver the directions, without thinking. He knew where it was that he was going, and he wondered idly why he'd chosen that location. He also wondered vaguely, why he hadn't thought to bring along his jacket.

He supposed it wasn't worth the risk of being stopped by Chi, to turn back and get it now. Besides, they were on their way...So he pressed his forehead against the window, enjoying the cold glass, and its cooling effects.

He closed his eyes, drifting in and out of consciousness.

TT

She stepped out of the washroom, and approached their table. It didn't take long for her to understand.

She pulled out her cell phone, and headed outside,

"Kurogane. Dammit...He...He ran off. I mean he ran off! I went to the washroom, and he took off while I was gone. I don't know where he was heading...He's probably on his way over to Raiko's house...I don't know where he lives...But I'll call him..." She didn't wait for an answer. She simply ended the call, and found Raiko in her contact list.

TT

"Hello?" He listened to the feminine voice that spoke to him over the receiver, knowing who it was, even before she said her name.

"Something wrong?" He listened intently as she explained that Fai had run off, and she believed he may be heading his way.

"Well, if he shows up here, I'll let you know...Shouldn't take him long...If he's coming by taxi, it won't take him much more than twenty minutes – and that's with traffic." He was silent as she thanked him, and informed him that she was going to call Kurogane back.

"No problem. And tell the boy-toy-candy to go easy on your brother, alright?" He heard her smile as she assured him that she would. They said their goodbyes, and he ended the call, looking for Fai in his contact list. He called him...But there wasn't an answer – so he closed his phone, worried.

The arms that were wrapped around him, tightened their hold slightly. An acknowledgment of his concern.

"We could go for a ride...If you'd like..." The voice was sweet, and angelic. Raiko smiled,

"...We'll give him a chance. Let's wait. He might be coming here..."

The kiss on the side of his head was a silent agreement.

TT

Chi had gathered her brothers coat – as well as her own – and returned to the house. It had been half an hour, and he hadn't shown up at Raiko's house – so he was going to look for him – with Shooter.

She was going with Kurogane – in his car – to look for her brother. She was sitting up front with him...But she knew that he was upset. So she kept her mouth shut – unless she was spoken to.

"Do you have any idea behind where he might have gone? He didn't go to Raiko's place...There has to be another..." He trailed, gripping the steering wheel. He wasn't mad at Chi. He was just worried...Which made him tense...Which made him seem like he was angry...

"...I can only think of one other place..." It was spoken softly, and she swallowed hard, before giving him the address.

He pressed down on the gas a little more forcefully.

TT

He had paid the driver – who had looked concerned as he left the cab. But he'd told him to go, and that he'd be just fine.

But he wasn't fine.

He knew that as he walked – the snow crunching beneath his feet. Knew it as he coughed hard – only to spit out more blood. His end was approaching...He could feel it.

He stumbled, feeling dizzy, but trying to maintain his balance. He supported himself against the silent onlookers, heading in one direction.

The direction he knew too well.

He continued to cough, occasionally – choking somewhat, as the feelings overwhelmed him. As the sickness overwhelmed him.

He could swear that he heard her voice as he passed her. Heard her begging him to go back...Turn back now...Go home...

But he disobeyed, and walked towards him – wanting to be near him, if he was going to die.

He'd broken their pact, so he owed him that much, didn't he?

Another coughing fit took hold of him, and he collapsed to his knees...But he managed to crawl to his destination. He stained the snow with his bloody torment, and – gasping – turned to face the grave.

Pressing the back of his head, and upper back against the tombstone, he curled his body up. Shaking, freezing, aching...His eyes half-lidded, and his vision unclear.

He could feel him – as he could always feel his presence...But this was different. It was more than just the wind this time...He swore he could feel his fingers, gripping his shoulder. Could see his sad eyes...A younger version of his double, staring down at him. He knew he was there when he spoke his name...For – besides his family, Sakura, Raiko, and Shooter – he was the only one who knew it.

"...Yuui..."

He closed his eyes, smiling, and prayed he'd take him...

TT

"Why the hell would he come here?" The raven looked up to the house that they had stopped outside of.

"...He wouldn't. Keep driving." She stared outside of the windshield, terrified. She knew where Fai had gone...And if he was unconscious...He was risking his own secret.

"But you said-"

"—Yeah, and I lied. This is the closest address to where we're going. Keep driving."

Sighing, the raven pulled back out onto the road – unsure of where it was exactly that they were heading. He'd never really been down this way.

The cemetery came into view, but he paid it no mind.

...At least until Chi told him to pull over.

He didn't have the chance to question her, before she was out of the passenger door, and running. He cursed himself for not stopping her, pulled his keys out of the ignition, and took off after her.

It wasn't hard to follow her direction – if not for her blue scarf, then by the red dots and splotches that had stained the blanket of snow that they were both rushing through.

"Fai!" Her voice rang clear ahead of him, and he tried to move faster. But the snow made that more difficult to do...

It felt like a lifetime had passed before he finally reached the blondes – panting.

Chi was kneeling in front of her brother – checking his pulse.

Fai was curled up, with his back to a tombstone...And he almost looked peaceful, the way he was laying there. Kurogane hated the thought, and turned his attention to the headstone, wondering what had possessed the blonde to stop here...

But as his eyes settled on the name, confusion took a hold of him.

Fai D. Flourite.

He looked back to the blonde male that was curled against the stone. It was the name that the blonde had lived by – for as long as the raven had known him. And – he assumed – he'd been living under it for a long time.

Things made sense to him now. Fai never let him see his mail. He never showed him his health card, his driver's license, or his passport. Anything that would bind his name to him – the raven had never seen. And Fai...No...Yuui always made sure that he hid his true identity.

Kurogane had never had this problem. He had gotten his name legally changed – to avoid the problem from ever occurring. But he had trusted the blonde, and shown him his past.

"Kurogane!" Chi's voice broke through his reverie. He turned to face her – understanding that the blonde was the twin that they had claimed the death of. But it was Fai that was gone, forever.

"Help me...Please..." She was begging him, cradling her brother. The last of the twins.

Yuui Flourite.

He stared for a moment longer, before he managed to crouch down – scooping the male up into his arms.

"I think you have some explaining to do."

TT

When Chi had called Raiko with the news, she gave him Kurogane's address and explained the situation. Then she'd hung up, and returned to the waiting room – where the raven was sitting...His scowl deeper than ever.

She wiped at her eyes, and fidgeted with her closed cell phone.

"Fai-"

"—Which one are you referring to? The real one, that's dead and buried, or Yuui – who goes around calling himself Fai?"

Chi sniffled, and looked away.

"Is that the only thing he's lying about?"

"Yes..."

"And why should I believe that?" His voice was cold, his tone sharp.

Chi didn't answer, because she didn't know how to. She could swear it to him, that it was his only real lie. But what would her reassurances prove?

A Nurse came into the room – to tell them that Fai had been stabilized. Kurogane scoffed, and Chi tried her hardest to ignore him. When the Nurse offered for her to go up to see him, she agreed, and allowed for the woman to lead her away.

She was leaving the raven unattended in the waiting room, and hoping for the best.

Hoping that he would stay.

TT

The others arrived in confusion and panic. Tomoyo took one look at her cousin's face, and told everyone else to stay in the waiting room – except for Hideki, who she brought with her. She located a Nurse, and Fai's room number, and the two headed up in the elevator.

She had to encourage the male to wait in the hallway – which he did.

And she approached the sobbing mess that had become Chi. She was a wreck. Sitting at her brother's bedside – her eyes dead to the world...

"Chi?" She kept her voice gentle, reassuring...

"Tomoyo...I don't know what to do...Kurogane is...Fai's...I don't know what to do!"

Tomoyo wrapped her arms around the girl – who was still sitting in the chair. She smoothed down her hair, and patiently, gently, questioned her on the story – which Chi provided her with.

"And now he's mad...Because Fai lied about his name...It was bad enough that he ran off...But he ran off to the cemetery – to die alongside our brother's tomb...He would have been content with that...And Kurogane saw the tomb...Fai's tomb...The real Fai..." She choked, and touched her brothers hand,

"The boy that you know? His name...It's Yuui...But he abandoned his name...Abandoned it with our brother's coffin...And now Kurogane is angry..."

"...Just breathe, Chi...You needn't worry about Kurogane's anger...For I intend to take care of him very shortly. I'll go and get him, and I'll talk some sense into him. And I'm leaving you up here with your brother...But I brought someone to keep you company," and here she looked towards the door,

"Come in, please."

Hideki hesitated a moment, before entering the room.

Chi didn't know what to say, as he came to take Tomoyo's place.

All she could do was thank her.

TT

She returned to the waiting room – alone. Her eyes were set on him, and she didn't falter in her steps. She simply approached him, and stood before him, silently at first – as he looked away.

"You may look away all you like, Kurogane, but it changes nothing. I want you to come with me. Upstairs. Now." She was firm, like her Mother had been before her – and as Kurogane's Mother had been – when it was necessary.

"Che. Why bother?"

"Kurogane Suwa." Firmer still, but she trembled.

He met her gaze.

"You will come with me. Now. Or so help me God, I will say it. I don't care who hears me, either."

Although his scowl deepened - and he hesitated slightly – he still got to his feet. And she led him away – towards the elevator.

When the doors had closed behind them, she let him have it.

"You are the most hypocritical person I think I've ever met!"

He scoffed, not meeting her gaze,

"He lied about his name."

"Oh, and how is that any different than what you did?"

He paused for a moment, before answering,

"I let him read about my past. I let him see my real name – my birth name!"

"He told you about his past! He wasn't ready to tell you his birth name! He's been living under his brother's name, ever since the real Fai died! He buried his birth name with his brother's coffin! How is that any different from what you've done, You-oh?"

"...Don't say that name..."

"Hurts, doesn't it? You know who's really hurting right now? Chi. That's her baby brother in there – dying, and what are you doing? Being a hypocrite, and treating her that way...And no, she didn't tell me that were rude to her. She said you were angry, and that's all I needed to hear. Because I know you well enough, to know that you were a jerk to her." They were stepping out of the elevator now.

"So you're going to apologize to her. And you're going to support Fai. And you're not going to call him by his birth name."

"Oh really? And why's that?"

"Because out of all of the spats that you've had since he learned your name – how many times has he used it against you?"

Yuui, no, Fai...No...Dammit, he didn't know what to call him anymore...The blonde had never used his name after learning it. He'd questioned it, learned that it was Kurogane's birth name, and accepted the fact.

Even when he'd been pissed off, he still called him Kurogane Suwa. He sighed, knowing that Tomoyo was right.

He was a hypocrite.

So he let his cousin call Hideki out of the room, and allowed himself to take the males place. He allowed himself to open his eyes to the realization that Chi was...Broken. She was feeling completely destroyed by the idea that her brother was going to die. She'd lost the real Fai, hadn't she? Now she was going to lose Yuui too. The baby twin, her youngest sibling.

She didn't speak as he stood next to her. She glanced his way, acknowledging his presence...But she had nothing to say. He didn't expect much out of her anyway. Except for some angry words, perhaps – which he would have earned.

But instead she only offered him silence – which was relatively worse. His boyfriend did this to him when he got mad too. Silent treatment.

"...I came to apologize, to you...I was a jerk..."

She didn't answer, but she sniffled lightly, wiping at her eyes.

It occurred to him then, that he'd never really seen Chi cry before. He'd seen her with puffy eyes, and tear stained cheeks – after her brother had tried to kill himself...But he'd never actually seen her cry before.

It hurt him, because she'd become a part of his life. She was there to scold him, to direct him...Just as she was there for her brother.

"...He does this to me too you know..." He murmured gently, keeping his voice light,

"When he gets mad...He gives me the silent treatment..."

He could see her smile, and she sniffled once more, before she managed to choke out a laugh,

"I guess we do have more in common than I'd first thought...Mom always did say that silence was a great answer when someone upsets you...That way, you can't say something hurtful in return, and the other person will wonder what you're thinking."

"Smart woman."

"She was," Chi agreed, still smiling slightly,

"Doctor's came in while Tomoyo was downstairs getting you...They said he'll be okay...He's officially nineteen, so if his body will just...Hang on for a bit longer...The illness will solidify...And he'll be okay..."

"...You're holding onto that hope, aren't you?" He walked around to the other side, and sat himself down on the edge of the blondes bed. Chi was sitting to the blondes left – holding on to his hand, gently – as that arm had the IV in it.

"...Aren't you?" She questioned gently, meeting his gaze.

He looked away for a moment, before he managed to nod,

"...Yeah...I have to..."

TT

The blonde awoke in a familiar location.

It wasn't where he'd lost his consciousness...But he knew it well enough to know that it was the hospital.

He was aware of two different hands, holding on to each of his hands. At his right, he knew Kurogane sat – the male had a body temperature that was unmistakable to the blonde. And to his left...His sister. Her hands were familiar to him as well...

He turned his head to the left, figuring that he owed her an apology, for taking off on her. His eyes opened to find her in tears, but smiling,

"Hey you...You're up..." Her voice was soft, sad...

"...Chi...Sorry, for..."

"...I know...It's okay..." She let out a soft laugh...But it wasn't really a laugh. It was more of a relieved, happy sigh,

"I'm not mad at you. I'm happy that you're awake...Doctor said you'll be alright for now...Says if your body will hold on for a while longer yet, then the illness will solidify, and you'll be okay..." She swallowed hard,

"And you have to hang in there, for me, okay? I need you to stick around for my wedding...It's just around the corner, remember?"

He nodded, weakly.

"...And you have to meet my future children, right? You have to stick around, so I can make you into an Uncle..." She laughed, but she was choking on the emotion.

"Chi?" He blinked tiredly at her,

"...I saw him..."

She blinked at him, confused, and stroked her fingers through his hair, gently,

"Saw who...?"

"...The real Fai..." He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the grip on his right hand tighten slightly. He ran a reassuring thumb along Kurogane's hand – knowing that it was him without needing to see him.

He opened his eyes once more – to see his sister's shocked expression.

"He was...Sitting in front of me...Holding on to my shoulder...He said my name...And then my world, went black..." He turned his face away – turning towards his pillow – and coughed lightly.

"...Fai..." She wouldn't call him by his birth name. Not even here, in the hospital.

She knew that he didn't want her to.

He turned towards his boyfriend – his eyes still worn out,

"And I'm guessing...You know what it is now..."

"...Yeah," he kept his tone light, knowing that he couldn't be mad at him for lying.

"...Sorry that I...Lied...But I wanted to...Keep his memory...Alive..." His eyes were sad. It broke the ravens heart to see him like that.

"I'm not mad at you, Fai."

He blinked up at the raven haired male...And smiled, fondly.

"And you have to stay here, with us, alright?"

Fai's smile brightened slightly, and he nodded in agreement,

"Of course...Where would you be...Without me...?" He chuckled lightly, closing his eyes.

"Lost. Where else would I be? Alone..." Kurogane murmured, kissing the backs of the males fingers.

Fai hummed, acknowledging the fact that he was listening.

"I need you, Fai."

The blonde continued to smile, opening his eyes once again.

"I love you..."

"I love you too..." His heart swam in the pool of happiness...And he heard his sister chuckle. Which worked its way into her laughing, which made him turn to her – confused.

She pointed towards his heart monitor, and understanding took over him as he blushed, and turned towards his boyfriend,

"Dammit Kurogane! Stop doing that to me!"

The raven chuckled, kissed him gently, and pulled back with a murmur of,

"No way in hell."

Chi found herself crying for a whole new reason...She was laughing too hard.

TT

He'd been released from the hospital. Hugged by his friends, clung to by Kamui – which hadn't surprised him in the slightest, and somehow, he'd avoided being scolded. Maybe Sakura couldn't come up with something to say...Or maybe she just didn't want to bother, because she knew that her best friend was dying.

Whatever the reason, he was content.

Kurogane hoisted him onto the hood of his car – which made the blonde laugh.

"So, this is what it's like to be a little bit taller than you!" The blonde teased, and the raven smiled.

"Close your eyes."

Fai chuckled, but complied.

Kurogane clipped something around the back of his neck. And then he picked up one of his hands.

The blonde felt something unfamiliar, and – realizing what it was – questioned the raven,

"...What are you doing?"

Kurogane – having completed his task – smiled slightly, holding the males hand,

"Proposing."

His eyes flew open. He stared, uncomprehending...He could see a ring on his finger, and – when he looked down – he saw Kurogane's Mother's locket, dangling around his neck.

"...What...?" He looked back to his boyfriend once more, startled, and confused.

"I'm asking you to marry me," the raven murmured, placing a kiss on the blondes lips, gently, before he pulled back slightly.

Fai – with fresh tears rolling down his cheeks – answered in the only way that he knew how.

He pulled the raven back in, for a deeper, more meaningful kiss.

(A.N: Oh come on now, you didn't think that I'd let this chapter end on a bad note, did you? Nope! But it's not over, either. Sorry for the angst guys, but this is what came out when I got down to writing, so I went with it. Hopefully you enjoyed it...And hopefully – if you don't hate me – you'll review?)